Trump: U.S., Ukraine peace talks ‘going along well’

“We have a corruption situation going on, which is not helpful,” Trump said, without explaining how it was impacting the negotiations.

“But I think there’s a good chance we can make a deal.”

Ukraine seeks international security guarantees as part of the agreement, as well as a cease-fire based on the existing frontlines, and has refused to cede any Ukrainian territory that is not already under Russian control.

Russian President Vladimir Putin does not appear set to offer any concessions, instead telling reporters during a press conference in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday that “when the Ukrainian troops leave the territories they occupy then the hostilities will cease.”